Robin Williams, AI, and the Ethics of Digital Resurrection

The legacy of Robin Williams, one of Hollywood’s most beloved and iconic performers, continues to spark conversation years after his tragic death in 2014. Known for his unparalleled comedic genius and heartfelt dramatic roles in films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, and Dead Poets Society, Williams left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. However, recent discussions about using artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate his voice have reignited debates about ethics, consent, and the posthumous use of a performer’s likeness. At the center of this conversation are Zelda Williams, the late actor’s daughter, and Matthew Lawrence, Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire co-star, whose comments about AI have stirred controversy.

Matthew Lawrence’s Proposal and the Backlash

In July 2025, Matthew Lawrence, who played Chris Hillard in the 1993 classic Mrs. Doubtfire, expressed enthusiasm for using AI to revive Robin Williams’ iconic voice for a new project. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Lawrence shared that the idea stemmed from an old commercial where Williams performed a computerized voiceover, which he felt foreshadowed modern AI applications. He suggested potential uses, such as having Williams’ voice provide driving directions or feature in other creative endeavors, emphasizing that any project would require the approval of Williams’ family. “I would love—obviously, with the respect and with the OK from his family—to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic,” Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly.

While Lawrence’s intentions appeared rooted in admiration for his former mentor, his comments sparked significant backlash, particularly from fans and observers aware of Zelda Williams’ stance on the issue. Social media posts on X labeled Lawrence’s remarks as “repugnant” and disrespectful, arguing that using AI to replicate a deceased performer’s voice—especially without explicit consent—crosses ethical boundaries. One user wrote, “The possibility of exploiting the talent of dead people through AI is sincerely one of its most repugnant uses, utterly disrespectful for artists of the past and the future.” Another stated, “Zelda would never be okay with it. You’ll never see him in AI. Don’t even bother asking the first time.” The backlash highlighted a broader cultural sensitivity to the ethical implications of AI in entertainment.

Zelda Williams’ Stance on AI and Consent

Zelda Williams, a filmmaker and actress, has been a vocal critic of using AI to recreate her father’s voice or likeness. In 2023, during the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes, she publicly addressed the issue, calling the practice “disturbing” and likening AI-generated versions of her father’s voice to a “horrendous Frankensteinian monster.” In an Instagram post, she expressed frustration over the growing trend of training AI models to mimic actors who cannot consent, stating, “I’ve witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad. This isn’t theoretical, it is very, very real.” Her comments underscored the ethical concerns surrounding digital resurrection, particularly for deceased performers who cannot approve or deny the use of their likeness.

Zelda’s opposition is not isolated. The use of AI to recreate actors’ voices or images has been a contentious issue in Hollywood, with legal battles and public debates intensifying. For instance, Disney and Universal filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, a generative AI firm, accusing it of plagiarism, reflecting broader industry concerns about unauthorized use of intellectual property. Zelda’s stance aligns with actors like Tom Hanks, who have voiced unease about AI versions of themselves being created without consent. Her advocacy emphasizes the need for clear boundaries and respect for the legacies of artists like her father.

The Broader Ethical Debate

The controversy surrounding Lawrence’s comments and Zelda’s response reflects a larger ethical dilemma in the entertainment industry: how to balance technological innovation with respect for individual rights and legacies. AI has already been used to recreate voices and likenesses, such as James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader voice in Fortnite (with his permission before his death).